DH and I will be driving from eastern Massachusetts to PEI in a few weeks, and we'd like to do some sightseeing along the Bay of Fundy on the way. I'm trying to figure out our itinerary, and maximize what we can see without taking too many extra days. It's hard for me to figure out the driving distances, and how much time to allow for each place. We're not the type who like to rush through places, and we generally take our time getting going in the mornings. On the other hand, I think we need to have reservations for the places we'll stay, we can't just play it by ear, so I need to plan our route.

I'm hoping to visit Campobello Island, either on the way up or the way home, taking the ferries. We also want to see Hopewell Rocks, both at high and low tides - I think that our best bet is doing that on our way home, due to the time of the tide tables, so we'd stay in Alma or nearby overnight. I understand that we should visit Cape Enrage on our way there.

Are we better off spending time in Fundy National Park, or going down to the Fundy Trail and spending our time there? Or are the both so wonderful we should try to make the time to do both? We like to hike, but I doubt we'll have time to do more than short hikes on this trip. The sea caves in St. Martins sound interesting, are they worth seeing? How much time would that take? I'm assuming the Fundy Trail is a loop, not a road we can take on our way to somewhere, from the info I've found online.

I may have more questions later, but this information would really help me with my planning. Thanks for any help.

Hi Sara,

I understand your dilemma. If you don't have that much time, and don't feel like rushing, I would pick one of the two places, and my choice would probably be the Fundy Park area, including Hopewell Cape, Cape Enrage and Alma.

The Fundy Trail Parkway is nice, too - its main appeal is that it gives access to beautiful coastal views by car. You have to drive to the end of the parkway and back to St. Martins on the same road (not a loop). There are some nice hiking trails there, but the ones at the Fundy Park are more interesting IMO.

The caves in St. Martins are small, but worth a stop on the way to the Fundy Parkway - I think we stayed 20 minutes to see them and walk on the beach around that area.

So since you already set you mind on the Hopewell Rocks (they are a must-see), Fundy Park would be more on your way. Just to give you an idea, highway 1 between Sussex and Saint John is 45 miles, and the same via St. Martins is 65 miles (not including the Fundy Parkway), so it isn't that much out of the way, but it all depends on how much time you have overall.

Good luck in your planning!

Thanks, this is really helpful. If we do decide to visit the Fundy Trail, approximately how long would it take to drive to the end and back (not including stops at scenic overlooks, etc.)? Can we get enough out of it if we just do the drive, and no hiking? Are there any really short hikes that are worthwhile? Thanks again.

You can still get nice views even if you just drive, as long as you stop at the lookouts along the way. It is actually designed for motorists more than for hikers - most of the hiking trail follows the parkway, so not much difference in the scenery. The parkway is only 11 kms one way. The Interpretive Centre is interesting, as well as the path at the end of it (leading to a suspension foot bridge)

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